Monthly Cargo Volumes Down at NWSA

Image via Northwest Seaport Alliance.

Maritime cargo volumes last month fell 10.3% to 309,123 TEUs at the Northwest Seaport Alliance seaports of Seattle and Tacoma, with imports tumbling 15.4% and full exports dropping 8.8% compared to the same month last year, according to data released July 19.

The ports saw lowered vessel calls brought on by congestion at other ports, ongoing service suspensions and above average import numbers from June 2021 as factors in the declining numbers, Seaport Alliance data show.

Year-to-date volumes are behind by 4% to 1,806,732 TEUs, with imports down 6.9% and exports falling 24.2%, according to NWSA’s figures.

“Ocean carriers have announced the return of suspended services in Q3 to support the peak season and the additional capacity is expected to improve volumes, including export activity,” said NWSA.

Meanwhile, a new three-year operating lease agreement has been reached between the Seaport Alliance and BNSF Railway to start handling domestic intermodal business in the Tacoma Harbor.

By Karen Robes Meeks